A digital future for the Tees Valley

Nearly 300 new jobs and 130 new companies will be created by 2010 as the result of an Institute of Digital Innovation (IDI) to be built by the University of Teesside.

The new Institute is to be developed by a partnership involving One NorthEast, the University of Teesside, Tees Valley Partnership and Middlesbrough Council.

They aim to create a successful cluster of digital technology and digital media companies that will play a key role in the overall economic regeneration of the Tees Valley.

Regional development agency One NorthEast is contributing up to £6 million through the Tees Valley Partnership of the £11m investment for the IDI, with additional funding coming from the University of Teesside.

The IDI will be based on the University of Teesside's Middlesbrough campus.

The building will have four floors specifically incorporating business accommodation, commercialisation space, concept testing and shared development facilities for research between business and academia.

Work will start early next year on the IDI and it’s expected to be finished by the summer of 2007.